JD Pirtle (b. 1975) works with light, sound and time to question notions of reality, ethics and sensuality. His focus is artistic visualization through bridging the void between convention and technological horizon.

He received his BFA with Distinction in Digital Arts in 2008 from the Center for Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS) at the University of Washington. While at DXARTS, he studied digital sound processing, real-time audio synthesis, algorithmic sound composition, sound spatialization, Ambisonics and psycho-acoustics with Juan Pampin and Joshua Parmenter from 2006-2008. From 2007-2008, he studied 3D modeling, animation, stereoscopic cinema, stereoscopic computer graphics, and computer motion with Stephanie Andrews. From 2007-2008, he studied art theory and practice with Shawn Brixey and Richard Karpen.

He has been composing, performing and recording contemporary, experimental and noise music for 17 years and has produced songs and albums for numerous artists.

He currently resides in Chicago where he is pursuing an MFA in New Media Arts at the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois at Chicago and working as a research assitant at the Electronic Visualization Laboratory, also at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

In light of a growing worldwide push to blend programming and computational literacy into curricula in primary and secondary levels of education, we will explore the challenges and implications of incorporating programming concepts and techniques into various subjects for a range of ages/grades. The meeting will consist of two workshops and a panel discussion.

WORKSHOP ONE

Techniques for teaching Scratch, a project by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab that enables "young people to learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively." Scratch is a graphical programming language suitable for a variety of ages and abilities. Scratch introduces visually many key structures and techniques common to a broad range of programming languages and paradigms.

WORKSHOP TWO

Techniques for teaching Processing to a variety of grade levels. Although perhaps too complex for very young students, Processing provides a very forgiving development environment for the exploration of programming concepts and techniques.

PANEL DISCUSSION

Following the workshops, we will convene an informal panel of educators, technologists and artists to initiate a discussion. Panel members TBA.